Not the best of weeks for Spanish sides in Europe, Barcelona the only one of the four to win in the Champions League. The Catalans beat Olympiacos 3-1 on Wednesday, Messi getting his 100 th goal in Europe to keep his side top of their group. Atlético could only draw 0-0 at Qarabag though, and the day before Real Madrid were held 1-1 against Tottenham, Ronaldo saving a point from the penalty spot after Varane had put through his own net. Worse news for Sevilla though, who were heavily beaten 5-1 at Spartak Moscow, leaving them down in third place in their group. On Thursday Real Sociedad did thrash Vardar 0-6 in the Europa League, willian José scoring “a poker” (that’s four goals!) after Oyarzabal had started things off. But Villarreal and Athletic both drew 2-2, the former at home to Slavia Prague, Trigueros and Bacca leading the fight back, and the latter away to Östersunds, Williams saving the draw late on after Aduríz’s first had been overturned.

Barcelona stay top of the league table after a 2-0 victory over Málaga on Saturday, but Valencia are still chasing them, a 4-0 win over Sevilla with two from Guedes and one each from Zaza and Santi Mina keeping the Ches in second spot. Real Madrid are third after they beat Eibar 3-0, Marco Asensio amongst the scorers there, and Atlético are fourth, Gameiro’s first of the season giving them a 0-1 victory at Celta. Sevilla’s defeat allowed city rivals Betis to catch them in the table, Sanabria starting things off in a 2-0 win over Alavés, and Villarreal are above them both on goal difference after winning 4-0 against Las Palmas, Bakambu scoring his sixth in three games to open the scoring after the break. Elsewhere Leo Baptistao and Illarramendi got the goals as Real Sociedad and Espanyol drew 1-1, and Morales was also on target for Levante in a 1-1 draw against Getafe. (24.10.17)